Donald Trump’s return to the White House has provoked various reactions in the world of sports. The newly elected president has a close relationship with golf, a sport he practices very regularly. The businessman owns numerous resorts throughout the globe and his good relationship with a large number of golfers is known. Rory McIlroy, who is playing the first of the final DP World Tour playoffs in Abu Dhabi this week, has spoken about the influence that the magnate could exert on the complicated relations between the LIV (financed by Saudi Arabia) and the PGA Tour.
Perhaps the most curious thing is that the Northern Irishman has commented that it could also be of great help if Elon Musk got involved in this matter. Let us remember that negotiations between the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia (PIF) and the PGA had intensified with the meeting between Jay Monahan -CEO of the American circuit- and Yasir Al-Rumayyan -president of the PIF-, during the Dunhill Links.
McIlroy already commented a few months ago that the United States Department of Justice was one of the main obstacles to reaching an agreement, due to the country’s competition laws, which exist for a reason. His statements have gone in this direction: “This may clear the way a little.” Rory may be right, as Trump can intervene indirectly through key appointments in his administration that pave the way.
Just before Election Day, Trump said on Bill Belichick’s ‘Let’s Go’ podcast that it would only take him “15 minutes to get that deal.” According to McIlroy, “Maybe he can do it. He has Elon Musk at his side, who I think is the smartest man in the world,” said the European player, who sees the owner of ‘X’ as a key piece: “We could do something If we can get Musk involved too, it’s not that complicated. Trump has a great relationship with Saudi Arabia and he has a great relationship with golf. But I think, as president of the United States, he probably has more things. important things to focus on than golf.
Rory may be wrong there, because never has a president played golf as many days during his term as Trump. For him this sport is a passion, but it is also business. Although this is a business dispute, it is most likely that the new president will be interested in getting involved in this matter, since Saudi Arabia is betting very heavily on entering the US market.
